We Can Find Happiness

Recently, I started my third semester at Brigham Young University-Idaho. Before the semester started, I had made a goal to strive for happiness and peace throughout the whole semester. I decided that I wasn't going to worry about silly things that would happen while I was at school. Many of those silly things would include grades, dating, anything work related, roommate related, and so-on. I didn't want to go throughout this semester always worrying, because I wanted to be happy! 

Now, I was signed up for 16 credits, so I expected this semester to challenge me in ways that I had not yet been challenged, and that proved to be true. About 4 weeks into the semester, I found myself running out of time for all the homework that I had been assigned. I had never had so much reading to do, nor for so many classes! I wanted to get good grades in my classes, but as my homework started to pile up, I couldn't quite see how that was going to happen. Now, even though all of this was happening, I was still intent on being happy and at peace with everything that came my way.

So instead of stressing myself out, I pretended that my work load wasn't that big of a deal. After all, I didn't have kids to worry about, and I didn't have a job to attend to, so why should I complain about my life? Well, if you can't tell all ready, I was being a pretty bad liar to myself. I love school, but at the beginning of this semester, I found myself thinking about never doing this again, and that was just because I had too much to carry. 

One day, in my pre-calculus class, I had the thought of dropping just one class. It was still early enough in the semester that my grade wouldn't be counted, and that wasn't a bad idea. As I tested it out in my mind, a little nagging feeling came to my thoughts. Part of me felt like I would be a quitter if I just gave up on that one class, and I didn't want to be a quitter. But the more I prayed and pondered about that idea, the more I felt like I needed to drop this class. The only thing that was holding me back was the fact that it was my religion class. 

I didn't want to drop that class because I really enjoyed the subject, and the light that it brought into my life was always such a blessing, but it was the only class that I could drop if I wanted to stay within the credit limit I needed in order to keep my scholarship and other financial aids. I didn't quite understand why, of all classes, it had to be this one. 

Two weeks ago, as I was sitting with my roommate, just talking about different things, I felt prompted to share with her the feelings that I had concerning this thought. As I told her about what I felt was right, but what I wanted to do, she listened intently. When I was done talking, she looked at me and said something along the lines of, "Katelynn, just because you drop this class doesn't mean that you can't take it ever again." She told me that maybe it would be best for me to drop out of it now, and focus on the harder classes this semester. That way I could take this religion class next semester, and really enjoy it, without feeling stressed. 

Though she may not know it, my roommate was an answer to my prayer. At that moment I knew that God had been patiently waiting for me. Waiting for me to be ready to hear what he had to say. I didn't feel like a failure any more. I felt relieved, but most of all, I felt loved by my Father in Heaven. 

I just wanted to testify of my Father in Heaven, and my Savior Jesus Christ. I know that they bring me peace and happiness in my life. I know that one day, if I am living righteously, keeping the commandments of God, and keeping the covenants that I have made with him, I will be able to return home to His Kingdom again. I am so thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am thankful for the scriptures, and I know that the Bible and the Book of Mormon is the Word of God. I know that Joseph Smith was and is a Prophet of God. I know that he is the Prophet of the Restoration. I know that President Thomas S. Monson is the living prophet on earth today. I know that the first presidency and the councel of the Twelve Apostles are prophet, seers, and revelators. I know that my Savior Jesus Christ atoned for our sins, and I know that through his Atonement, we can all repent and return home to God's Kingdom. I know that we can be forgiven of everything when we repent with true sincerity. Last, but not least, I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church of Christ, and I say so in the sacred name of Jesus Christ. 

If you get the chance to, watch this video. I found it truly inspiring! 

(video link: http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/collection/gods-plan/we-can-find-happiness )

Here's to the New Year!

I made a deal with my older sister that consist of us both frequently updating our blogs, or at least to try and be better at posting more often. I guess that's a good goal to start with for this new year. So, Amber. Are you ready for this challenge? 

I guess the last time I posted something was in November and according to my photo's this is what my life has been like:

Chopped my hair off

Joined the family over thanksgiving weekend (after thanksgiving).

Got to see this girl on her 1st birthday

Got to go home for Christmas and join this guy on a fun little car ride as well as a lot of shopping with my Mother

And then to Finnish 2013 off I settled down and watched a sweet movie and ate plenty of treats. All together this year has been a fun one. 

As for 2014 I will start school in a few days at BYU-I and move-in day will be this Thursday/Friday. Who know's what is in store for me but I am ready to take it on! 

Listen up

So I don't normally do this kind of thing but I felt like I needed to.

K-bob, you are a special dude to me. I know that 99% of the time I am a big jerk for an older sister and I know that 99% of the time I get on your nerves or say something stupid that annoys the crap out of you but brother I am imperfect. There has been one major lesson that I have learned sense moving out of the house and that is the importance of family. We are all imperfect and so naturally that means that we make mistakes that are sometimes really big and really stupid but brother please know that when I annoy you that I don't mean to. 
I want you to know that I LOVE you brother. I look up to you in so many ways that you're probably not aware of. I think that it is awesome that you have the ability to sit down in front of a piano and right then and there teach yourself how to play a song that you just heard on Pandora or from a movie you really liked. You are so talented when it comes to music. You have the ability to listen to a song and truly get meaning out of it. You make your music a part of you and that is awesome to me! 
You are so skilled with anything that you put your mind to. I remember when you decided you wanted to learn how to ride a skateboard. You were so adamant about mom and dad getting you one ASAP and when they did you got right out there and you worked hard at learning the ropes to skateboarding.
 Brother, you amaze me with your ability to obtain knowledge. 
When you want to learn something you learn it and there is nothing,or no one,that can stop you. You really are an awesome kid. You are super handsome too! You always say you aren't but trust your older sister when she says you're a handsome guy.
 I think it's awesome that you care so much about what goes into your body. You've really educated yourself on anything that you use or eat and I love that I can just call you up or text you and ask if something is or isn't really a good thing to use or eat. 
You've been through so much more than me and the fact that you hold things together so well,even when it hurts,is awe-inspiring. 
I just wanted to let you know that life gets tough but,you are still just starting to see the beauty of it! Buddy, high school is rough but I have to admit. There are a lot of things that you will learn there and one of those things is who you want to be for the rest of your life. Keep your head held high and I know that no one will mess with you or give you crap that you can't handle. 
You have a big annoying family that loves you like crazy and if anything were to happen to you we would be torn apart. No one is worth the pain especially if that person doesn't give or show you the love and respect that you deserve. 
I love you brother and I just thought that you should know that. 

Things I Have done

Here, in Rexburg, the air has reached a cool and crisp tone. It's been cold in the mornings but nice and cool in the evenings. I kind of love it but I am still longing for a nice hot sun and a beach to lay on or an ocean to swim in. But for now, jackets with lots of layers and wool socks will have to do. 
Sense my last post I have done quite a bit, or at least a couple, of sweet things have occurred. First, the students are finally back! It's been so fun meeting up with old friends and meeting such nice and new people who I hope and know I can become friends with. Along with all the students comes the given activities that the college throws. They call these activities such things as "I-night" and/or "Dances". 
I've had a blast at both of these things and I hope I wont forget the fun I've been having. Another thing that has occurred is I bought a bike. A very simple, very fun, good bike. This happened while my Mom was in town. We happened to walk by a bike shop, which I believe was named "Bills Bike and Run shop", and we decided to take a look around. With the help of my mother, and a very helpful (and handsome, I might add) worker, I chose and bought a bike. Sense then getting around Rexburg has been great and so much more easier! 

*little side note; I did happen to run into said worker at singles ward today so, there is hope...*

I guess I'll show some pictures of some of the said events so, enjoy!

  

Romantic evening

Today I had quite the romantic evening... not! But I got you a little excited. Admit it.

I did have a little go-around near the apartment. Austin, Sam and I moved to a different apartment not too long ago so now that I am all settled and adjusted I thought I would get to know this place a little better. 

I've been a little busy lately with work and all and that is a good problem to have! With that being said, luckily, I get to relax today! 

So I'll tell you what I did. 

First I did some of this:

Then this:

and THEN I did this: 

THE END 

p.s. It was a good day so have yourself a marvelous day you dude's and dude-desses' (that's "princess" in dude-language)! 

Unselfish Service

I watched this wonderful video today! It is a Mormon Message video titled Enduring Love (LDS Enduring Love Mormon Messages click for link)and it shows the true love that this older gentleman has for his wife. I guess it touched me because this man did all that he could to help his wife. It just makes me want to be like that! There are so many people here that show just by those simple acts of kindness that they truly love one another and there really isn't a reason to not be kind. We all have to live on this earth together anyways so why not make this journey a pleasant one! 

Alright, well my mother has been asking for pictures and so when I went on a little adventure yesterday I took some of the scenery. I don't have any pictures of me in any of them, unless you count my feet, but at least I took some pictures! 

Field behind the apartments

Fence by the freeway

Ditto

Parking lot of a church building (which was super smooth by the way) 

Some really pretty flowers by a dried up creek bed

And some random field. What you don't see is, to the left of this picture, the road leading up to the pretty temple. I'm gonna try to get a better picture of the temple another day when I have a bit more time. Either way that is the short summary of my adventure. Though the pictures may not depict it, it was a really pretty day yesterday. It felt great too! 

Now here is a great scripture I read the other day, enjoy:

"... I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day." (Alma 36:3). 

oh and by the way, watch the Mormon Message I mentioned, it really is a good one! 

Catch Up

Remember that time when you were little? That time when you saw that amazing older person and thought "I can't wait to grow up!"? Maybe that person was an older sibling or a favorite teacher that you looked up to. Either way, and no matter who caused that thought to cross your mind, you still created that train of thought. Did it ever occur to you that one day that thought would be a reality? Well let me tell you something, it didn't ever occur to me until recently.

Recently I grew up, sort of... Okay, I know I'm still young and I still have a whole life ahead of me but things just got real for me. Before I didn't have any care in the world. My friends would always be my friends and my family would always be my family and I would be a perpetual teenager. Well Katelynn, it doesn't necessarily work that way.

You move on with life. You move out of the house, eventually, and you get a job, eventually. If you're lucky you go on to college. You worry about whether or not you are doing a good job at being an adult. Your friends are still there but there life has moved on as well and one day you all just grow up and you are okay with that. Your family is still there but they are never completely 'right there'. They do love you though and they would never let you fail, or at least not alone. 

The point is, life becomes a little difficult. That is not a bad thing though. There are going to be some really rewarding and enjoyable parts of moving along in life but some parts are going to seem hard. I am lucky though. I have my Heavenly Father here by my side and my family is always here for me. I have two great comforts that will never let me down even when I let them down sometimes. 

Well enough dramatics. I think it is time I show some pictures. These pictures are from my life lately meaning sense I started senior year up to end of my summer. I hope you enjoy!